No Grand Jury in Trayvon Martin Shooting

A Florida special prosecutor will not bring the Trayvon Martin shooting before a grand jury, her office announced today.

The grand jury is scheduled to be convened April 10, but will not hear evidence about the shooting of the unarmed black teenager by George Zimmerman, a white Hispanic neighborhood watch captain.

In making the announcement, special prosecutor Angela Corey said her office was continuing to investigate the Feb. 26 shooting.

"The decision should not be considered a factor in the final determination of the case," her office said in a statement. Not using a grand jury leaves the decision whether to indict Zimmerman up to Corey. That decision could come as early as this week.

Benjamin Crump, the lawyer for the Martin family, said he was not surprised by the announcement, but was still hoping that Zimmerman would soon be arrested.

"The family has been patient throughout this process and asks that those who support them do the same during this very important investigation," Crump said.

Ever since Corey was appointed special prosecutor on March 22 by Gov. Rick Scott, she has said that she may not utilize a grand jury.

There has been growing pressure for an indictment of Zimmerman, although Zimmerman, 28, and his supporters claim he fired in self defense after he was attacked by Trayvon, who was 17.

The Sanford, Fla., police department was temporarily closed today as a handful of protesters wearing hooded sweatshirts in solidarity with Martin blocked the entrance, sang songs and chanted "Freedom."